Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Whatissavingmylifenowisbecomingmorefullyhuman,trustingthatthereisnoway
toGodapartfromreallifeintherealworldBarbaraBrownTaylor,
AnAltarintheWorld
HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
THEPITCH
MISSION,GOALS&HISTORY
Hineni(heeNEYnee)
Mission
Goalsoftheprogram
History
St.MargaretCedarCottage
FAQ(FrequentlyAskedQuestions)
DoIhavetobeaChristianorAnglicantobepartofthiscommunity?
DoIhavetobeinvolvedinSt.Margaretsinsomeway?
DoIhavetotakecareoffindingajoborareplacementsavailableforme?
Whatdoesitcost?
Howlongistheprogram?
WhencanIapply?
HowisadmissiondecidedandwhenwillIfindoutifIhavebeenaccepted?
WhatistheminimumsizeoftheHinenicommunity?
Howmuchtimeisinvolved?
Whoisincharge?
Whatdoyoumeanbyruleoflife?
Whathappenswhentheresaconflict?
DoestheHandbookdetermineexactlywhathappensinouryear?
THEBOARD
Whoisontheboard?
Whatdoestheboarddo?
RULEOFLIFE
TheDisciplineorPracticeofCommunity
TheDisciplineorPracticeofSimplicity
TheDisciplineorPracticeofPrayer
TheDisciplineorPracticeofSubmission
TheDisciplineorPracticeofStudy
TheDisciplineorPracticeofService
AWEEKINTHELIFE
DISCERNMENT
RESOURCES
DirectorPositionDescription
HineniApplication(20152016)
HineniLifestyleAgreement
MediaRelease
ApplicantReference
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
HineniBibleStudy
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
INTRODUCTION
ThishandbookholdsalltheinformationsurroundingtheHineniprogram.Ithasbeenorderedfor
thecuriousenquirersothatyoucanreaditinsequenceasitanticipateswhatyouwanttoknow
next.Wedontwanttoassumetoomuch.Aknowledgeablereadercanquicklyscanthetableof
contentsandaccesswhattheyareinterestedin.Thegoalisthatnomatterthequestion,the
answerstartsoffwith,
Haveyoucheckedthehandbook?
Butahandbookisjustahandbook:itdoesnotdetermineexactlyhowtheprogramlooksin
someregimentedway.Ratheritgivesaframework,sothattheprogramcanbecraftedaround
theuniquepeopleandneedsof
this
particularcommunityin
this
year.Wewantittotrulybe
yourprogram,notjustours.Infactwewillincorporatefeedbackfromtheyearintothe
Handbookgoingforward.YouwillbeanimportantpartofhowGodshapesHineniintheyears
ahead.
THE PITCH
Youareayoungperson,posthighschoolorUniversity/College,andnotreallysurewhattodo
withtherestofyourlife.Youareeitherworkingorgoingtoschoolorboth.Youareinterestedin
developingasenseofdirectionasyouanticipatethefuture.Whynotconsider9monthsat
Hineni?AtHineniyoucouldliveinanintentionalcommunitywith4otherpeopleaskingsimilar
questions,whileintegratedwiththevibrantfaithcommunityofSt.MargaretsCedarCottagein
Vancouver,BritishColumbia.
AtHineni,youwillexploreandgrowinyourunderstandingofwhoyouareinGodsworldand
whatyoumightdointhatworldasyou:
interactformallyandinformallywithyourhousematestofacilitatecommunity.
learntogetherandbechallengedtogetherincommunity.
usespiritualdirectionandcounsellingresources.
relatewithcommunitymentors.
serveSt.Margaretstogetherinmanageableways.
deepenyourprayerandworshiplife,andengageinspiritualpractices.
havefun!
ThatstheHinenidream.Wewantyoutolearnandenjoythingsthatyoucanincorporateinto
yourlifeinasustainablewayandcarrywithyoufortherestofyourlife.Interested?Readon.
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
Itsimportanttoknowwhereweareheadedandwherewecamefrom.Thatswhatthissection
isabout.Butfirstofall:whatswiththisnameHineni?!
Hineni (hee-NEY-nee)
HineniisaHebrewwordwhichmeanshereIamorIamhere,itiswhatMosessayswhenGod
callstohimfromtheburningbush,andthewordmeansmorethanjustaphysicalpresence,it
reflectsapersonsreadinesstodoGodswork,totakeupwhatevertaskitisthatGodiscalling
themtodo.Webelievethisnameisperfectforourprogramwhichwillhelpyoungpeoplewho
choosetoliveincommunityexplorewhatitisthatGodiscallingthemtobeanddointheworld.
YoullenjoydoingtheHineniBibleStudyintheResourcessection!
Mission
Toprovideacommunallivingspaceforyoungadultstoserve,bothintheparishandthe
broadercommunity,whilecomingtoadeeperpersonal,spiritualandvocationalunderstanding.
1.ToprovideyoungadultsanopportunitytoliveinintentionalChristiancommunityfor9
months.
gainanappreciationforlivingsimply
strengtheninterpersonalskillsthroughgroupliving
experiencethejoysandchallengesofcommittingtolivingwithinaruleoflifewiththeir
coparticipants
deepenfaiththroughlifeincommunity
2.Toprovideyoungadultsanopportunitytoservethewidercommunityandtolearnabout
differentformsofministry/serviceintheworld.
toservewithinthecontextoftheparishofSt.Margaret'sand/orthewiderchurch
community
todeepenfaiththroughserviceinthecommunity
3.Togothroughaprocessofdiscernmentintermsoftheirownvocationalandspiritualcalling.
toengageinspiritualdirectionasawaytoreflectonGodintheirlifeandhowtheysee
themselvesbeingledbyGod
toparticipateintheologicalreflectionwiththegroupandindividuallyasawaytoclarify
one'sownbeliefsandvaluesandtorespectthebeliefsandvaluesofothers
tobechallengedinone'sfaithlifeandtolearntogrow
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
History
In2013SaintMargaretsparish(seebelow)hadtheideaofusingtherectory(arectorytypically
iswherethechurchminister/priestlived)toprovideyoungadultswithintentionalcommunity
living,spiritualandvocationaldiscernment,andacommitmentofservicetothebroader
community.Thisideacapturedourimaginationsandresonatedwithourministrygoals.Wewere
excitedtofindauseforthepropertythatwouldallowustoharnessthemanygiftsofbothour
parishandourDioceseandofferanimportantministrytoagroupofpeopleforwhomnotmany
programshavetraditionallybeenavailable.
Wehavetalkedtoothergroupsthatarecurrentlydoingsimilarprograms,especiallythelong
establishedEpiscopalServiceCorpsintheUnitedStates(
www.episcopalservicecorps.org
)and
thenewlyformingAscendcommunityinEdmonton(
www.ascendleadershipproject.com
),and
begantodreamabouthowwemightbeabletomakeourvisionareality.
Inthesummerof2015weundertookaseriousrenovationthatincludedrewiring,replumbing,
repainting,reprettymucheverythingtheentireinsideofthehouse:refinishingthehardwood
floorsreplacingoldcarpetinstallinganewkitchenrenovatingtwobathroomscleaningupthe
yardandgardenandfixingthegarage.Thiswillbeareallysweetplacetolive!
St.MargaretCedarCottage(
www.stmargaretscedarcottage.ca
)isasmall,vibrant,anddiverse
worshippingAnglicancommunityinEastVancouverthatactivelylivesoutourmissionstatement
of
SharingGodsWelcomeFoodfortheHungry,LifefortheWeary.
Atourheartwebelievewearecalledtoofferthegeneroushospitalityandwelcomethatwesee
livedoutintheministryofJesus.Thiscommitmenttowelcomehasmeantthatweareagrowing
communitywheremanydifferentkindsofpeoplefindahome.Wearediverseinage,sexual
orientation,socioeconomicstatus,abilitiesandhealthstatus.Alargeproportionofour
parishionersareinhelpingprofessions(paidandvolunteer)andmanyothersinourparishare
onthereceivingendoftheseservices,butatSt.Margaretsweallcometogethertoworship,
pray,sing,serve,andberemindedthatweareeachbelovedchildrenofGod,calledto
participateinGodsworkintheworldtogether.
Dontyoujustwanttoask:Whatswiththecedarcottagebit?!
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
Wecanseehowyoumightgetthatideawithallthattalkofchurch!Theshortanswerisno.St.
Margaretswelcomesall,nomatterwhattheyclaimtobelieveornotbelieve.Theslightlylonger
answerisNo,butyouneedtobeabletofullysupportthegoalsoftheprogramandSt.
Margaretsandbeabletofullyparticipateinthelifeofthecommunity.Moredetailscanbe
foundintheResourcessectionbelow(seetheLifestyleAgreement).
Yes.Theyaremorethanalandlord!Involvementinareasonablewaybothindividuallyandasa
Hinenigroup,willbeanimportantpartofyourexperienceandgrowthduringtheyear.Besides,
theyreafungrouptobeapartof.Butthenagainwerebiased)
Do I have to take care of finding a job or are placements available for me?
Yes,youfindyourownjob,orifgoingtoschool,youtakecareofthataswell!Unlessyouwant
ustorandomlyenrollyouinsomeprogram:)Unlikeotherprogramswhichprovideplacements,
Hineni,wantstoincorporatewhatyouhavealreadygoingoninyourlife.Wehopethatyoucan
integratethelearning&habitsdevelopedatHineniintotherestofyourlife.
$700/monthcoversyourrent,internetandcable,allprogramming,spiritualdirection,
counseling,and2retreatsayear.SuchadealinVancouver!
Forthefirstyearitwillbe9monthsNovember1toJuly31.ThisleavesamonthfreeAugust
fortransitionbetweenHinenicohortgroups.
Assoonasyouareinterested.Withjust5spots,youneverknow!Theapplicationformisinthe
Resourcessection.TheapplicationwindowrunsfromFebruary1throughMay15.In2015,our
inauguralyear,weareacceptingapplicationsupuntilSeptember15th.
How is admission decided and when will I find out if I have been accepted?
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
TheselectioncommitteeismadeupoftheDirectorandsomemembersoftheBoard(seelater)
Theywillletyouknow,onewayortheother,byMay15.In2015,ourinauguralyear,wewilllet
youknowbyOctober1st.
Threewonderfulpeoplelikeyou!Thehouseholdsamaximumof5peoplewhoeachwillhave
theirownbedroom.
Itsoundslikeitcouldinvolvealotofextracommitment.WillitbemanageableifIhaveafull
timejoborgotoschoolfulltime?Twoanswers.Thefirstanswerisyes.Thisisnotmeanttobe
asuperintensemarathon.Otherwisethatdefeatsourstatedgoal:Wewantyoutolearn&
enjoythingsthatyoucanincorporateintoyourlifeinasustainablewayandcarrywithyoufor
therestofyourlife.Thesecondanswerisitdepends!Itdependsonwhetheryoucanactually
abidebytheLifestyleAgreementyousign(seeResourcessectionbelow)Forexampleifyou
areenrolledasafulltimestudentyoumightdecidethattoreallybenefitfromallthatHinenihas
toofferyouneedtodropacourse(ortwo!).
Who is in charge?
WeknowtherightanswerisGod!Inmorepragmaticterms,thereisadirectorwhoworkswitha
BoardwhoreportstotheChurchCommitteeofSt.Margarets.Thedirectoristhepersonwho
managestheintakeandexitofparticipants,facilitatestheconnectionwithmentors,spiritual
directors,leadsthe2retreatsduringtheyear,coordinatesconflictresolution,andgenerallyhas
ahandleontheheartbeatofthecommunitytomakesureitsnotjustsurvivingbutthriving.
Goodquestion.Theresasectiondevotedtojustthattopic.Theprogramisnotaguisetoturn
youintoamonkornuninareligiousorder!Ratheritistheretoopenyouuptosustainable
patternsofbehaviourthatcontributetoajoyful,meaningfullife.
Goshyourebeingreal!Itsnaturalandhealthytohavesomelevelofconflictorjust
disagreement.Itshowwehandleitthatsimportant.Inanutshellwesuggestthefollowing:first
followtheinstructionofJesustotalkdirectlytotheperson(seeMatthew18:15ff)andseeifyou
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
cantalkitoverandresolveit.Ohbutwelovetotriangulatethesethings!Bewareofdoingthatif
thatdoesntworkthentryandraiseitinoneofyourcommunitymeetingsinallthisbein
dialoguewiththedirector.Thatsoneofthethingstheyaretherefor.
Yesandno!Yes,inthesensethatitgivestheframeworkforwhathappens.No,inthesense
thatthisframeworkwillbecraftedbythedirectorandyourgrouptoarriveataform/shapethat
hasitsownuniquesignature.IthastoworkforthepeopleGodsendsus.
THE BOARD
Theboardexiststoensurethehealth,successandsustainabilityofHineni.
Theboardismadeupofasmallnumberofpeoplethatdomorethanjustmeettogetheroncein
awhile!TheareengagedinthelifeofHineniastheirtimeandgiftingsallow.Currentlythe
Boardisnotafreestandingsociety,butreportstotheChurchCommitteeofSt.MargaretCedar
Cottage.
Theirrolesinclude:
regularprayerinsupportoftheHineniproject.
beingasupportive,consultativeandreferencebodyfortheDirector.
allaspectsrelatedtopersonnelengagedintheoperationofHineni.Thatcurrently
consistsoftheparttimeDirector.IngeneraltermstheBoardfunctionsinagovernance
capacityandtheDirectorinanoperationalcapacity.
assistingtheDirectorconnectparticipantswithMentors.Thegoalisthatcommunity
Mentorswillregularlyofferworkshopsfortheparticipantsgivingparticipantsthe
opportunitytointeractwithavarietyofmentors.
servingasanavenueofappealforparticipants.
ensuringthatthevisionofHineniisclearandenoughresources(personneland
financial)areallocatedandthattheyareefficientlyusedsoastoimplementthevision.
maintainingaclearchannelofcommunicationwithSt.Margarets.Thisisachievedby
havingthepriest/ministeratSt.Margaretsontheboard.
marketingtheprogramintheirnormalspheresofinfluence.e.g.talkingaboutittogroups
andalertingpossibleparticipantstothisopportunity.
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
beinganadvocateforHineniwiththedioceseandleveragingallchannelsofeffective
communicationthatareavailable.e.g.submittingarticlesinlocalpublicationsofthe
diocese.
RULE OF LIFE
Youdidntsignuptobecomeamonkornun!Weknowthat.Althoughtheresnothingwrong
withbeingamonkornun!Howeverforthousandsofyearscommunitieshaveadoptedawayof
beingtogether.Thatiswhatwemeanbyruleoflife.InHineni,togetherwithyourdirector,your
cohortwillestablishaworkableruleoflife,thatissustainableandlifeenhancing.Wewilltalk
aboutthisusingtheoldlanguageofSpiritualDisciplinesorPractices.Adisciplineissimply
somethingyouchoosetodotoputyouinapositionwhereGodcaninteractwithyouandgrow
you.Weactuallyaremorefamiliarwithdisciplinesthanwethink.Forexamplethedisciplineor
practiceofdentalflossing,putsusinaplacewherewecanseekgooddentalhealth.Forsome
thedisciplineorpracticeofyogaputsusinapositionwherewecanfocusonourphysicaland
spiritualhealth.Yougettheidea.
Herearesomeofthedisciplinesorpracticesthatmightbeinvolved.Remember,your
participantcohortwillcraftthesetofityourlivesandyourscheduleswiththegoalthatyour
spirituallifeanddiscernmentisenriched,andthatyoutakeawaysomedisciplinesthatare
sustainableinyourpostHinenilife.
Thisisourfirstgoal:toliveinintentionalcommunity.Whilethewordcommunityisfashionable,
thedeepthoughtisthatcommunityisgroundedintheverybeingofGod:Godiscommunity.
Beforeanythingeverwascreated,therewascommunity.Thewisdomtraditionsallrecognize
thatoneofkeybarrierstogrowthisthatwearesoselfabsorbeditsallaboutmythisandmy
that,evenmyspiritualgrowth.Andtheresnothinglikebeingincommunitytomakethisvery
cleartous!
WewillpracticeCommunityinsomeveryconcretewayssuchas:
keepinghousetogether:menuplanningshoppingcookingeatingcleaningetc.Ideally
thesetaskscanbesharedsothateachparticipantcanservetheothersastheytake
theirturn.
servingtogetherinsomewayinthelifeofStMargaret.
goingontworetreatstogether.
eatingtogetherparticipatinginourmainweeklycommunitymeal&gatheringtime
together.
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Aswithalldisciplines,Simplicityisfundamentallyaboutfreedom.Bydefinitionthelimitationsof
spaceandtimewillkeepyourlifesimple.Simplicityisaninwardrealitythathasanoutward
expression.RichardFosterin
CelebrationofDiscipline
mentionsanumberofoutward
expressionsthatinclude:
Developadeeperappreciationforcreation.
ObeyJesusinstructionsaboutplain,honestspeech.Letyouryesmeanyesandyour
nomeanno(Matthew5:37).
Buythingsfortheirusefulnessratherthantheirstatus.
Rejectanythingthatisproducinganaddictioninyou.
Developahabitofgivingthingsaway.
Refusetobepropagandizedbythecustodiansofmoderngadgetry.(Thebookwasfirst
publishedin1978!)
Learntoenjoythingswithoutowningthem.
Rejectanythingthatwillbreedtheoppressionofothers.
Shunwhateverwoulddistractyoufromyourmaingoal.
Thesewillbeusedasaframeworkforyoutoconsider/evaluate,fromtimetotimeduringthe
courseofyouryeartogether,bothfromacommunalandindividualpointofview.
Wehopethatyouwillgrowinyourpracticeandunderstandingofprayer.Toprayistobeopen
toGodandtocultivateapostureoflisteningtoGod.Youwillpracticethisintwomainways:
Communalprayer.Withthedirectoryouwillfigureouthowthiscanworkbestforyou.
Forexample,youmightdecidetoendyourweeklycommunitymealbyprayingtogether.
Thiscanbeassimpleassayingaprayertogether(e.g.theLordsPrayer)whenyou
end,toprayingintotheeventsofyourcomingweek.Experimentwithwhatworks.
Individualprayer.Thedirectorisavailabletohelp.Forexample,asimpledailydiscipline
istousethe
Examen
(
www.ignationspirituality.com
)
Whilewemightnotlikethewordsubmit,thereisgreatfreedomhere.Thinkofsubmissionas
freedomfromalwayshavingtogetourownwayorfreedomfromalwayshavingtodothingsall
onourown.Hinenimakesthispracticerealintheserelationships:
LivinginCommunity.Livingincommunityputsasharpedgeonthisideaofsubmission:
itshardtojugglewhatsbestfortheotherpersonandwhatsbestforourselves!
Spiritualdirection.Allparticipantswillbelinkedwithaspiritualdirector.
Counselling.Allparticipantscanmakeuseofavailablecounsellingresources.
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
Mentorship.Allparticipantswillhavetheopportunitytochooseappropriatementors.
MentorsfromthewidercommunitywillparticipateinthelifeoftheHinenicommunity
offeringregularworkshops.
JesussaysinJohn8:32
Youwillknowthetruthandthetruthwillmakeyoufree.
Butwithouta
knowledgeofthetruth,wewillnotbefree.Thingsthatcanbedoneinthisareainclude:
choosingtoindividuallyread,studyandreflectontheassignedLectionaryreadingsthat
arefollowedbySt.Margarets.
workingthroughsomebookstogetherasagroup.Thedirectorwillprovideasmallsetof
booksforthecommunitytochoosefrom.Thinkofitasabookclub!Someappropriate
examplesinclude:
AnAltarintheWorld
byBarbaraBrownTaylor
TheGiftsofImperfection
byBreneBrown
Serviceistheprimarywaytocultivatethefreedomofhumilityinourlives.Themainavenuefor
thispracticewillbeservinginsomewaythecommunityofSt.Margaret.Thiscouldtakemany
formssuchas:
regularattendanceattheweeklyworshipservices.
participatinginsomewayintheseservices.e.g.readingScripturegreetingpreparing
andhostingtheafterservicecoffeetime.
participatinginsomewayinsomechurch/neighbourhoodprogram.
Theresalotmorethatcanbesaidinthisareabutwehopeyougettheideabehindthistalk
aboutaruleoflife.
Sowhatwouldatypicalweeklooklike?Youreworkingorstudyinginyourlife.Butthentheres
yourHinenilife.Heresafictitiousweekinthelifeofsomeonelikeyourself.
DAY
Sunday
STUFFGOINGON
noworkshifttodayphew
simplyattendedStMargaretstoday.Nextweekthoughwehavetoplan
ourservingcoffeeafterchurchgig.Weshouldtalkaboutthaton
communitynight.
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
Monday
thisweekIamgoingtocontinuedoingtheExamen.Ifinditis
becomingausefulhabit/discipline.
working9to5
Iamscheduledtocookdinnertonightfor5ofus,althoughSamis
workinglatesowellsavedinsforhim.
aimtohavedinnerreadyby7pm.Wellsee!
Tuesday
working9to5again
IlltryandfinishmychapteronthecommutetoworksothatIamready
toparticipateinourcommunitynighttomorrow.
Wednesday
working9to5Wowthreeshiftsinarowsweet
communitydinnertonightfollowedbycommunitymeeting(wetendto
checkinwithtwoquestions:(1)Whatisworkingwellthatwecanbe
thankfulfor?(2)Whatcouldworkbetter?)
weneedtoplanourcoffee/snackservingtimeforthiscomingSunday
ourdirectorisleadingtheshortbookclubstudyonthechapterweveall
read.Right?!
bythetimethisisoveritsclosetobedtime
Thursday
noshifttoday.
goingforabikerideandwilltakeapicniclunch.
willdomychorefortheweek:cleaningthemainbathroomyeah.
hopefullyhavemyweeklycheckinwiththedirector.Mightjustbea
phonecallthisweek.
Friday
working9to5
abunchofusthoughtwedtreatourselvesandgoouttogether
Saturday
meetingwithmyspiritualdirectoroverbreakfast
Iampartoftheshoppingteam.Hopefullytheshoppinglistisreadyso
wecangetthisdoneearly.
working5pmto12pm
mustremembertotellmyworkthatIcantworkthoseshiftsonourfirst
weekendretreatcomingup.
DISCERNMENT
YoureprobablywonderinghowthispieceoftheMissionstatementcomingtoapersonal,
spiritualandvocationalunderstandingwillworkoutforyouinHineni?Ifnot,justskipthis
section!Whilewecantmakeanypromisesthatyouwillhaveakapow!orburningbush
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HineniHandbook1.1,July29,2015
experiencelikeMoses,wecansaywehavethoughtintentionallyabouthavingalotofthe
piecesinthatdiscernmentpuzzleavailableforyou.Thingslike:
yourinteractionwithyourhousematesaroundtopicsofdiscernmentandwhatyoufeel
Goddrawingyoutowards.ItsamazinghowGodusesothersinourlives.
yourpersonalopportunityforreflectionandworkingwitharuleoflife.
theopportunitytobeonretreattogether.
therelationshipwithaspiritualdirector.
opportunitiestoengagewithcommunitymentors.
thepossibilityofpersonalcounselling.
thechancetolearntogether.
Asweorientourselveswithopportunitiesandpracticeslikethese,andaswepayattention,we
willfindpartsofthediscernmentpuzzlecomingtogether,ofteninwaysthatsurpriseus.
RESOURCES
ThissectioncontainsalistofresourcesandformsrelatedtothesmoothfunctioningofHineni.
Eachresourcestartsonanewpage.Soifyouwanttoprintjustoneoftheresources,youjust
needtoprinttherelevantpages.
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